Challenge Day 2: Drink a Green Smoothie

Challenge Day #2: Drink a Green Smoothie

Welcome to day 2 of the 5-Day #fitbody Challenge! Today we’re going to add a green smoothie. How’s it going with no added sugar? I got a lot of great questions and comments about that – I know it’s tricky but you can do it!

Remember each day of the challenge builds on the last, so you’ll keep up with the no-added sugar today.

Why do I love green smoothies and why are they so good for you?

Well, #1 most of us just don’t get enough greens in our body on a daily basis. If you haven’ t done your weekly food prep and you’re too busy to cook it’s easy to order take out or eat whatever is in the pantry.

I’m guessing that your pantry isn’t stocked with baby kale or spinach, micro greens and cucumbers – and if it is, cooking them can sometimes feel like a job at the end of a long day. But tossing them in the blender with some fruits and spices – that’s another story!

#2, green smoothies deliver a powerful dose of nutrients right into your body.

They contain all the healthy, natural fiber from the fruits and vegetables you blend, so you’ll digest slowly – keeping your blood sugar stable.

Juicing is also a great way to get the nutrients into your body, but it will eliminate the fiber. I consider both juicing and blending wonderful additions to a well-balanced eating plan but prefer blending.

What kind of greens do you put in a green smoothie?

The greens you want in a smoothie are any of the dark, leafy greens like kale, spinach, swiss chard, collard greens, dandelion greens plus some fresh herbs like parsley or mint. You can also add vegetables like cucumber, celery or carrots. Rotate your greens on a regular basis, and for easier beginner smoothies, use baby greens (baby kale, baby spinach, etc).

How much fruit should you use?

I recommend no more than 2 fruits. I usually stick to fruits that are lower in sugar, so apples and berries usually end up in my green smoothies over mangoes and pineapple (tropical fruit is very sweet). There’s nothing wrong with the sweeter fruits though, just be mindful of your overall sugar intake for the day and you’ll be fine. For beginner smoothies, I recommend banana and berries, as they really taste good together.

What kind of blender do you use?

I use a Blendtec blender. It’s a lot like a Vitamix, just shorter. Those high-speed blenders are able to pulverize whatever you put in them down to the tiniest particle, creating smooth, creamy blends out of anything you put in them. Regular blenders may not create the best-textured green smoothies, but they will still get the job done.

TIPS for regular blenders:

chunk up your fruits and vegetables to even sized pieces before you add them

Be sure to always wash your fruits and veggies before you start – even the organic ones have been handled and transported, and it’s always best to be as mindful as possible.

What if I don’t like smoothies, or am traveling, or am unable to make one?

When I’m traveling or run out of fresh greens, I go to my fallback superfood green juice powder, Organifi. It’s a wonderful tasting green juice (like a cold green minty tea). So good! No sweeteners, no weird stuff, just 11 superfoods blended up into a convenient green juice that you can take on the go. Sometimes I’ll even add a scoop to my green smoothie at home.

What are some good green smoothie recipes?

Speaking of tasty blends, here are some of my favorite recipes. You can browse the entire section here, or jump straight to one of these awesome recipes:

What should I use if I want to make my own blend?

Below are some helpful guidelines you can use to build your own green smoothies. In the Body Fuel System and ALL of my meal plans, I have custom green smoothie recipes for you each week to go with your healthy recipe guides, and I show you how to incorporate them easily.

How to create the perfect Green Smoothie:

Third:healthy fats – a small amount goes so far to helping your cells perform their vital functions of using all of these nutrients in the greens – avocados, nuts and seeds, coconut oil, olive oil, nut oils and nut butters, MCT oil

Sixth:liquid – some smoothies I just add water, others I add almond milk – also good are hemp milk, coconut milk and other non-dairy milks – check labels for plain with no added sweetener.

Blend: Use a high powered blender like my Blendtec to make the best tasting, smoothest smoothies – or use a food processor or regular blender (see tips above). Be sure to chunk up your fruit and veggies for best results.

Hey Challenger, you are DOING GREAT! Remember it’s ALL OR SOMETHING not ALL OR NOTHING – do YOUR best each day, and just focus on adding in what you can! xoxo

Today’s Workout Challenge: booty + legs

3 rounds

Bridge Lifts (0:30)

Skater Lunges (0:30)

Single Leg Squats to Box (0:30)

Mountain Climbers (0:30)

Reverse Curtsy to Knee (0:30)

We’ll be doing these workouts and going over the nutrition challenge in the daily LIVE VIDEOS – so be sure to use the link in your email to get everything out of this challenge! Can’t wait to see you there!